Nike React Infinity Run Flyknit Review: Progress on One Flaw, Serious Problems Elsewhere

Introduction

Nike has a habit of frustrating its running fans, and the React Infinity Run Flyknit is a textbook example. On the plus side, the brand clearly listened to one long-running complaint: the previous version’s tongue famously tore when pulled, and plenty of owners reported the same issue. This time the tongue held up under the same kind of tugging. That is genuine progress.

Unfortunately, it is the only real progress here. After a full evaluation, this trainer earns a 5.2 overall score, which is a failing grade, and it is not a shoe we can recommend for running. It may serve fine for gardening or weekend errands, but the list of problems is long enough that runners should look elsewhere.

Who This Product Is For

Honestly? Very few runners. This is a neutral road trainer with some stability-esque shaping built into the heel clip, so it could appeal to runners who want a durable, supportive daily trainer and who run hot in most shoes. It is also a reasonable candidate for casual wear, yard work, or low-impact use where comfort matters more than performance.

If you are shopping purely for a running shoe, competitors from New Balance, Saucony, and ASICS are simply executing uppers and ride quality at a higher level right now, often at lower prices.

Quick Specs

The numbers: 34mm in the heel, 26mm in the forefoot, for an 8mm drop. That heel-to-toe offset is a genuinely likeable spec. In a women’s size 8, the shoe weighs nearly 10 ounces, which is heavy for a road trainer and heavier than many trail shoes. A large part of that is the slab of React foam sitting under the foot.

The upper is Flyknit, the midsole is Nike’s proprietary React foam formula built on thermoplastic elastomers, and the price is $160. Remember when React felt exciting? That was years ago, and the market has moved on.

Main Strengths

The clearest positive is durability. The construction feels built to go the distance, and the outsole rubber looks substantial enough that the shoe should comfortably clear a 600-plus-mile lifespan. The tongue-t earing saga from the previous generation also appears resolved; repeated pulling on this version’s tongue produced no damage, which is worth crediting.

Lockdown is another quiet win. The upper’s fit and security are fine, with no slipping around inside the shoe. The heel clip wrapping around the back of the shoe adds a touch of stability to what is otherwise a neutral platform.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The Flyknit upper is the biggest problem. It is heavy, thick, and notably warm, like wearing a winter jacket in summer or wrapping a scarf around your neck in 95-degree weather. It is simply not breathable, and compared with the uppers coming out of New Balance, Saucony, and ASICS in recent months, it feels a generation behind.

The heel counter is rigid to the point of concern. It feels ready to cut into the side of your ankles; it did not draw blood here, but picking the shoe up in a store and touching the collar tells you everything you need to know. The tongue is not gusseted or semi-gusseted either, it just sits there.

The midsole measured around 45 on a durometer across several spots, which is not terrible, but the energy return simply is not there. There is no noticeable bounce underfoot, and pressing into the foam by hand confirms it. React in its current form feels like a dense slab rather than a lively platform, and rivals including budget-friendly Skechers models with nitrogen-infused midsoles feel more energetic.

Fit and Comfort

Sizing runs true to size, with a toe box and heel that fit fine. The one caveat is a slightly snug midfoot; the arch-side interior of the shoe was noticeable underfoot. That was acceptable here, but runners who dislike midfoot pressure should keep it in mind.

The comfort score lands at 3 out of 10, driven almost entirely by that thick, warm upper. Six or seven years ago this build would have felt modern. Today it does not.

Midsole and Ride Feel

The React midsole is the heart of this shoe, and it is where the disappointment concentrates. The foam is soft enough on paper, but the sensation while running is flat. There is no pop, no propulsion, no sense that the shoe is giving anything back. Against comparable trainers from Nike’s own racing and training lines, or the current offerings from New Balance, Saucony, and even Skechers, it reads as dated.

For a shoe weighing nearly 10 ounces in a women’s size 8, the ride needs to justify the mass. It does not.

Durability and Value

Durability is the strongest card this shoe holds. Between the robust upper construction and the generous outsole rubber, it would be surprising if this trainer did not last a long time, likely well past 600 miles if the upper holds shape.

But durability does not fix value. At $160, this is an expensive training shoe, especially when strong alternatives cost significantly less: the ASICS Evoride sits around $120 and the Noosa Tri 14 around $130. Given Nike’s resources, the pricing here is hard to justify for the performance delivered. Because of the overall performance, this shoe earned a relegation: it will not be making the 50-mile rotation.

If you are set on alternatives, the Noosa Tri 14 stands out as a favorite from recent testing, followed by the Glide Ride and the New Balance 1080 v12.

Buying Advice

Skip this one for running. If you already own it, lean on its durability and use it as a beater, a walking shoe, or a yard-work companion, roles where the stiff upper and flat ride matter less. If you want a durable daily trainer at a fairer price with a more comfortable upper, look at the ASICS Evoride, the Noosa Tri 14, the Glide Ride, or the New Balance 1080 v12 first.

Conclusion

The React Infinity Run Flyknit fixes last year’s most embarrassing flaw, and that deserves acknowledgment. But a heavy build, a stifling Flyknit upper, a rigid heel counter, and lifeless React foam add up to a 5.2 overall score at $160. Nike has the resources to do far better, and until it does, this is a shoe to pass on for running.